How to Change the Front Brakes on a 2004 Buick Century

Buick equipped the 2004 model-year Century with hydraulic disc brakes mounted on the front wheels. The master cylinder delivers hydraulic pressure, generated by brake pedal pressure and augmented by a vacuum brake booster, to the brake caliper through special high-pressure lines. Pressure in the brake circuit causes the caliper to compress and clamp the friction pads against the brake rotor. Friction pads (brake pads) are made of composite friction material on a steel backing plate. Use and poor rotor condition wear the brake pads and make replacement necessary.

Instructions

Removal

1

Wipe the master cylinder reservoir cap with a clean shop rag. Remove the reservoir cap.

2

Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir. Remove fluid from the reservoir with a hand siphon if the fluid level is higher than halfway between the maximum fill line and the minimum fill line.

3

Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack. Support the vehicle with jack stands.

4

Remove the lug nuts with a lug nut wrench. Slide the tire and rim off of the lugs on the hub. Reinstall two of the lug nuts onto their lugs by hand to retain the brake rotor.

5

Place a large C-clamp over the caliper and clamp against the outer brake pad and the back of the caliper. Tighten up the clamp to compress the caliper piston and release the caliper from the rotor. Release and remove the C-clamp.

6

Remove the bottom caliper bolt with a wrench. Rotate the caliper upwards, using the upper caliper bolt as a pivot.

7

Remove the brake pads from the bracket. Remove the sheet metal retainer guides from the bracket. Inspect the mounting hardware and the caliper dust boot for damage and replace if necessary.

Installation

8

Install an old pad in the caliper and place the C-clamp over the caliper. Compress the caliper piston fully into the caliper.

9

Install new retainer clips onto the caliper bracket. Slide the new brake pads into the bracket and clips.

10

Remove the C-clamp and old brake pad from the caliper. Rotate the caliper down into position over the rotor. Install and torque the lower caliper bolt to 70 ft. lbs. with a 3/8-inch torque wrench.

11

Remove the two lug nuts by hand. Install the wheel and the lug nuts onto the lugs and torque the lugs to 100 ft. lbs. with a 1/2-inch torque wrench and socket.

12

Raise the vehicle with a jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.